The County Lines

WASHINGTON

Adams County Othello

After years of designing and building the Othello community float, Lynette Caruthers, Larry and Dale Linderman and Larry Hastings are retiring. Caruthers has taken on the float-building task for 24 years and says it’s time for a new crew. The current cast will be a tough act to follow, as the Othello float is a perennial prize winner.

Ferry County Curlew

The community is rallying around 12-year-old Matthew Spurgeon, who was recently run over by a car while visiting relatives in Yakima. Suffering from severe head injuries, he is at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He may be moved to a care home for children, so his parents can learn to care for him, before returning to Harborview for more surgery. A fund to help pay for medical and travel expenses has been set up at the Republic Bank of America. Those who want to send a letter should write to Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98104-2499.

Grant County Ephrata

The Grant County PUD has announced that despite rising costs for purchased power, rates here won’t increase. The 2001 budget projects PUD will spend $33.4 million to purchase power to meet county electricity needs. However, cost increases will be offset by increased revenues from wholesale power sales.

Lincoln County Harrington

James Marshall, who sings and plays the trombone, tuba and piano, has been hired as the Harrington High School music teacher. He is a veteran of Central Valley and Chewelah school districts. The Harrington School found itself scrambling for a music teacher after the resignation of Craig Johnson.

Pend Oreille County Newport

Kids staying after school to take part in extracurricular activities will now have a ride home. The Newport School District received a Century 21 grant to fund three bus routes during after school hours. The buses leave from Sadie Halstead Middle School at 5:45 p.m. weekdays. The three routes are State Route 20 to the Usk Bridge and back to town via LeClerc Road; Valley road to SR 211, then back on Highway 2; and Spring Valley to Tweedie Road, across Blanchard and back to Newport.

Spokane County Spokane

The Edgecliff neighborhood will host its third annual Walk for Success on Sept. 23. The walk, which starts at 10 a.m. at Edgecliff Park, 8th Avenue and Park Road, is a peaceful demonstration against drugs, violence and crime. Speakers along the loop route through the Spokane Valley neighborhood include Sheriff Mark Sterk and County Commissioner Kate McCaslin. After the walk, there will be food and games in the park.

Stevens County Colville

Folks homeschooling their children in the Colville area are reminded to register their intentions at the local school district. Parents are required by state law to file a declaration of intent. The school district hopes to help parents meet this responsibility, and provide standardized testing later in the year. Those needing to file this required paperwork should do so at 217 S. Hofstetter by Sept. 15.

Whitman County Colfax

Palouse Empire Fair organizers are expecting a full show of animals at the event, which starts today. More than 250 hogs, 108 cattle and 140 sheep have been registered. The fair runs through Sunday.

IDAHO

Benewah County Plummer

Chrissie’s Corner, a library/coffee shop that opened in April, will have its first community event. A video titled “An Evening with Dolphins” will be shown at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at the business, next to the Plummer Post Office. Owner Chrissie Mahoney sells and updates weekly the top 15 best-selling books. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bonner County Sandpoint

A new dental office will open Monday on the corner of Lake and Third streets, Suite No. 4. Dr. Thomas Helvey, owner, graduated from the University of Michigan in 1991 and later became the chief of a clinic where he performed general dentistry, oral surgery, children’s dental care and restorative treatment. Helvey invites the public to visit his office.

Boundary County Bonners Ferry

The high school Badger football fund-raiser, Football Scramble Golf Tournament Football Fund-raiser, brought in more than $3,500. The winning team, out of 20, consisted of Alan Sandaker, Galen Schirado, Tom Foust and Kevin Dirks. The fund-raiser was played at Mirror Lake Golf Course.

Kootenai County Coeur d’Alene

Jamba Juice offered free smoothies recently to raise awareness and money for cancer research. Donations came to $2,000, which was donated to Relay for Life 2000. Jamba Juice owners are Richard King and Jan Armon. Latah County Troy The Troy Elementary Parent Group invites interested parties to participate in their annual craft fair held Oct. 21. For more information, call (208) 835-4201.

Shoshone County Pinehurst

Patti Nelson, owner of Permanent Solution Beauty Salon and Crafts Galore, recently moved her business back to its original location at 905 N. Division. Nelson, a hair stylist, expanded her business by adding a a certified massage therapist, Gina White, and Bekah Noto, who owns and maintains the tanning bed part of the business.

MONTANA

Lincoln County Troy

The Kootenai Senior Citizen Center serves low-cost lunches at noon Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Dinners are served Thursdays at 5 p.m. For home delivery, call (406) 295-4140.